1 Samuel 8:8-18

8 They are doing as they have always done. When I took them out of Egypt, they left me and served other gods. They are doing the same to you.
9 Now listen to the people, but warn them what the king who rules over them will do."
10 So Samuel told those who had asked him for a king what the Lord had said.
11 Samuel said, "If you have a king ruling over you, this is what he will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and his horses, and they will run in front of the king's chariot.
12 The king will make some of your sons commanders over thousands or over fifties. He will make some of your other sons plow his ground and reap his harvest. He will take others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
13 He will take your daughters to make perfume and cook and bake for him.
14 He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his servants.
15 He will take one-tenth of your grain and grapes and give it to his officers and servants.
16 He will take your male and female servants, your best cattle, and your donkeys and use them all for his own work.
17 He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
18 When that time comes, you will cry out because of the king you chose. But the Lord will not answer you then."

1 Samuel 8:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 8

This chapter relates, how that Samuel being old, and his sons behaving ill, the people desired to have a king set over them, 1Sa 8:1-5, which case Samuel laid before the Lord, and he was directed by him to yield to the people's desire, but at the same time to set before them all the disadvantages and ill consequences that would arise from thence, which he did, 1Sa 8:6-18, but they insisting upon it, nevertheless, he gave them reason to expect that their request would be granted, 1Sa 8:19-22.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.